NOC to restart crude exports at four ports

Libya’s state-owned NOC said it is preparing to resume crude exports from four terminals over July 19-21, ending weeks of blockades that have nearly halved the country’s oil production.

The company said it expects a tanker to load at Es Sider over July 19-20, another is scheduled to pick up 1mn bl of Bu Attifel crude from the Zueitina terminal on July 20, and two tankers are expected at Ras Lanuf on July 20-21. Another vessel will collect 600,000 bl of Brega crude from the Marsa el-Brega terminal over this period. The latter port has already resumed loadings of condensate.

The company did not disclose the names of the ships scheduled to load. Tracking data and a shipping source indicated the Crudemed and Caspian Sea were due to reach Ras Lanuf in days. The tanker Matala was scheduled to arrive at Es Sider, with the terminal as its next destination.

Restarting crude exports is a critical first step to increasing Libyan production. The country has very limited storage availability and its output is disrupted or must stop completely when shipments cannot take place.

The 90,000 b/d El Feel field, which has been under force majeure since April, is now gradually resuming output, according to NOC subsidiary Mellitah Oil and Gas. It will initially produce at a rate of 40,000 b/d. El Feel, whose output is comingled with Wafa condensate to create the Mellitah crude blend, has in the past typically produced around 70,000 b/d, below its nameplate capacity.

Libyan crude production dropped by 150,000 b/d to 600,000 b/d in June from the month before, as a result of blockades at some terminals since the middle of April. NOC lifted force majeure restrictions from all oil terminals on July 15.

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